RESUMO
Objective To introduce the technique of three dimensional portal venography of multi detector row spiral CT and its clinical application in the evaluation of the portosystemic collateral shunts of liver cirrhosis. Methods All relevant literatures were retrospectively reviewed on the application of two dimensional and three dimensional reconstruction techniques such as MIP, SSD, VRT of multi detector row spiral CT to demonstrate the collateral vessels of liver cirrhosis.Results The distribution, pathway and anatomy of portosystemic collateral vessels were well shown by multi detector row spiral CT portal venography. Conclusion Multi detector row spiral CT portal venography provides excellent depiction of the anatomic characteristics of the collateral shunts and enables the continuous tracing of vascular structures, thus it is very helpful in the imaging evaluation of the collateral vessels of liver cirrhosis.